shocks for drag racing
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
shocks for drag racing
Got about 63k on the stock shocks and think its time for new ones. The c6z shocks are the cheapest and was thinking of going that way but am wondering what I can gain on the track with adjustable shocks or any other kind of aftermarket shock. Im sure the c6z shocks will perform well. I just dont know if adjustable shocks will outperform the c6z's enough to offset the additional cost. Anybody got any numbers on the track to compare stock, c6z's, aftermarkets? 
Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 1,137
From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
I used lakewood 90/10 drag shocks part # 40101 with 2-1/2 " extentions. Remove or undo front sway bar.
NO Corvette tax !!
Someone did a write up on it about a year ago (on this forum) after i told him what to do.
NO Corvette tax !!
Someone did a write up on it about a year ago (on this forum) after i told him what to do.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,167
From: Dyer, IN
So I take it you are not plowing through the twisties any more with that setup......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Was curious about a good street shock that would be good for drag racing also. I bought some HAL QA1 adjustables, thinking that was a good solution. Have not installed yet and my car is put away for the winter! Any info on this topic I would also be interested in hearing.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I remove my front sway bar for track days. Was cutting 1.50-1.51 60's all day with my stock shocks and no sway bar. I think I should have been 1.49-1.50(was slightly bogging) if I were coming out perfect. I would think I could at least match that with c6z shocks(maybe improve???) but was also curious as to what improvements I cna see with adjustables or a drag shock.
Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 1,137
From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
I'm into straight line performance.
I was having major traction issues for years and forgot that i used the Lakewoods and extentions on my street strip C4, 5 years ago.
Well, i got a 1.40 60 ft with my old setup (C5)... my previous best with my C5 was a 1.78
The front lifts now allot quicker and planes out in beginning of 3rd gear ( A4).
Works for me and others on this forum that tried it.
I was having major traction issues for years and forgot that i used the Lakewoods and extentions on my street strip C4, 5 years ago.
Well, i got a 1.40 60 ft with my old setup (C5)... my previous best with my C5 was a 1.78
The front lifts now allot quicker and planes out in beginning of 3rd gear ( A4).
Works for me and others on this forum that tried it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I'm into straight line performance.
I was having major traction issues for years and forgot that i used the Lakewoods and extentions on my street strip C4, 5 years ago.
Well, i got a 1.40 60 ft with my old setup (C5)... my previous best with my C5 was a 1.78
The front lifts now allot quicker and planes out in beginning of 3rd gear ( A4).
Works for me and others on this forum that tried it.
I was having major traction issues for years and forgot that i used the Lakewoods and extentions on my street strip C4, 5 years ago.
Well, i got a 1.40 60 ft with my old setup (C5)... my previous best with my C5 was a 1.78
The front lifts now allot quicker and planes out in beginning of 3rd gear ( A4).
Works for me and others on this forum that tried it.
I know 1.40s have been done on stock c5z suspension before with around 475 rwhp. I've gone 1.50s with stock c5 suspension and think a 1.49 is possible with 420 rwhp.
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Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 1,137
From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
You want the rear tires to plant.. so the front drag shocks let the front come up allot quicker for weight transfer and come down smoothly. I use stock shocks in the rear.
If you don not have a traction issue, keep the stock shocks.
I was using a 225 shot with 3:90 gears and 5000 stall converter. So the drag shocks helped me.
If you don not have a traction issue, keep the stock shocks.
I was using a 225 shot with 3:90 gears and 5000 stall converter. So the drag shocks helped me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 9
From: MARRIOTTSVILLE MD
How do those feel on the street?
I remove my front sway bar for track days. Was cutting 1.50-1.51 60's all day with my stock shocks and no sway bar. I think I should have been 1.49-1.50(was slightly bogging) if I were coming out perfect. I would think I could at least match that with c6z shocks(maybe improve???) but was also curious as to what improvements I cna see with adjustables or a drag shock.
I remove my front sway bar for track days. Was cutting 1.50-1.51 60's all day with my stock shocks and no sway bar. I think I should have been 1.49-1.50(was slightly bogging) if I were coming out perfect. I would think I could at least match that with c6z shocks(maybe improve???) but was also curious as to what improvements I cna see with adjustables or a drag shock.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
The theory is that it helps the front suspension unload more efficiently. I've heard it helps but also that it helps more for F-bodies than for Vettes. Also the obvious that it takes some weight off the front end. I only have two days to compare times to, one with the bar and one without the bar. With the bar my 60's were consistantly 1.54-1.55 and without the bar they were 1.50-1.51. Given that these were 2 different days and done with a driver just learning to drag race it is hardely a reliable observation.
Maybe somebody else has more input on how much it helps?
Maybe somebody else has more input on how much it helps?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 297
From: Orange Park FL
sixty foot
Well I have no problem lifting the front as I routinly pull the front wheels off the ground on stock suspension. I do not have that much of an understanding on drag shocks. Are they designed to let you come up fast and come down slower and smooth?
I know 1.40s have been done on stock c5z suspension before with around 475 rwhp. I've gone 1.50s with stock c5 suspension and think a 1.49 is possible with 420 rwhp.
I know 1.40s have been done on stock c5z suspension before with around 475 rwhp. I've gone 1.50s with stock c5 suspension and think a 1.49 is possible with 420 rwhp.
Pit
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Loxley alabama
are the 2.5 extentsions nessecary? i assume they are. my car is lowered will that make a difference on extention length? how much are the extentions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,197
Likes: 2
From: Niagara Falls NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I would go with the QA1s on the rear of any Vette with sticky tires and good power.It seems the rear end is unforgiving to any wheel hop,and usually breaks first time.Just good insurance.
Take care.
Take care.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Loxley alabama
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Loxley alabama